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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Indian Law and Order Commission releases final report

Yesterday the Indian Law and Order Commission
released its final report and recommendations—A Roadmap For Making Native
America Safer—as required by the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, Public Law
111-211 (TLOA). As described by the Commission, the recommendations are
intended to make Native American and Alaska Native nations safer and more just
for all U.S. citizens and to reduce the unacceptably high rates of violent
crime that have plagued Indian country for decades. This report reflects
one of the most comprehensive assessments ever undertaken of criminal justice
systems servicing Native American and Alaska Native communities.

Notably, Alaska was the only state to have
its own chapter, and the report found that Alaska’s law enforcement and justice
systems “do not serve local and Native communities adequately, if at all.”
As the report states, “the status quo in Alaska tends to
marginalize and frequently ignores the potential of tribally based justice
systems, intertribal institutions, and organizations to provide more cost
effective and responsible alternatives to prevent crime and keep all Alaskans
safer.”

To read a press release issued by NARF’s
Alaska Office and Tanana Chiefs Conference, click here. The full
report can be found here. The Alaska chapter can be
found here. And, more information on
the Commission can be found here.